Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/444

Rh and Sherman's march through Georgia and the Carolinas, the exploits of Wheeler's cavalry were something wonderful. Although the main army, even when successful in battle, was constantly on the retreat, the cavalry was so frequently employed in aggressive movements that they hardly shared in the depression that fell upon the infantry by reason of their disappointed hopes. They were not only successful in repelling raiders, but frequently made brilliant raids to the rear of their enemy, interrupting his communications and defeating his detached forces. Hannon's brigade participated in all these arduous and perilous duties, and had their full share of the triumphs of the cavalry during this long campaign. In the daring raid through Tennessee in August, 1864, this command, under its gallant leader, captured 100 men in Sherman's rear, destroyed a wagon train, and brought off 1,500 beef cattle. Under Wheeler's command Hannon followed Sherman into the Carolinas, and at Statesboro, in North Carolina, engaged in the last fight of the cavalry forces in that State. His promotion to brigadier-general was made toward the end of the war, but the commission was never received. He well merited it, for he had with great skill led his brigade through the last year and a half of the struggle. After the return of peace he was for a time a merchant in Montgomery, Ala., then in New Orleans. In 1870 he removed to Texas and engaged in planting in Freestone county.

Brigadier-General James T. Holtzclaw was born in McDonough, Henry county, Ga., December 14, 1833. His father was, however, at that time a citizen of Alabama, living in Chambers county, and the family soon returned to that home. He was educated at the Presbyterian high school, and in 1853 he was appointed a cadet at the United States military academy, but on account of the death of an older brother did not enter. In 1854 he went to Montgomery and began the study of law in